Game in a nutshell: The Nationals had lost four straight with a total of four runs scored, a dismal stretch that forced manager Davey Johnson to make changes to his lineup. Whether it was his adjustments or not, the Nats finally broke through with a six-run outburst through the first three innings. They got started with an RBI double by birthday boy Danny Espinosa in the second and scored another on a slow infield grounder by Denard Span. In the third both Espinosa and Bryce Harper hit home runs as the Nats took a 6-0 lead and let pitcher Gio Gonzalez work the rest of the night with a comfortable lead.

Hitting highlight: The Nats entered the third inning with a two-run lead, but quickly decided they wanted more. Harper led off the inning with a solo home run to dead center field. Werth then singled and was moved to third on a Joey Votto throwing error after he fielded a grounder from Adam LaRoche. Ian Desmond scored Werth on a fielder’s choice groundball and Espinosa then scored both himself and LaRoche on a two-run shot to right-center field. Finally a big inning for the Nats’ offense.

awesome win. finally had some luck go our way and good hitting all around. I honestly did not think Gio would go eight innings after he had 60 some pitches by four innings. nice to finally see his 2012 side. hope he stays that way.

In all fairness to Lombo– he was put at third, has hardly ever played there, and moved to a new spot in the lineup. I think he had a few things to think about. Played well at third and still rarely strikes out. The fly balls have to go, though. Still probably a better option at third than Tracy. Figures, though- torches and pitchforks against Danny, love for Lombo, and what happens? Reverse lock. It's a funny game. What do you think of the new pretty face on the sideline?

Dave J.'s comment was one of the highlights of the evening for me. Couldn't watch it, had to catch it on the MLB AtBat app and the radio. Reserving judgment on Julie A. Tonight's Gatorade shower sort of messed up her post-game interview. (And I have to wonder whether Gio might not have been in on it somewhat, helping with Julie's initiation.)

The pretty , young sideline girls just seem all the same. Fluffy , inane stuff. And the shaving cream and Gatorade – so junior high. Guy has a great game and you destroy his interview? Ha, ha, very funny. So professional and mature.

I had a funny thought, unconventional. What if, on those plays where Ryan is back and would in theory make the long 3/4 throw to first, that he throws instead to Espy like a double play? Make the pick and then the short side-arm zip over to second base and let Espinosa relay it to first. Seems like you would have the advantage of RZ's range (and bat) and maybe eliminate some of the bad throws and the wear-and-tear on his shoulder.It would look weird but I bet it would work.

SJM308,If its a choice between Span or Lombardozzi and Kobernus I'd likely pick the latter for lead-off.Sure Span did fine and he drove in some runs. But he and Werth are blocking Tyler Moore.BTW, Here is Rizzo on Rendon. Just so you see and understand (finally) what is really going on.Courtesy of Byron Kerr:"He is going to play every day somewhere," Rizzo said of Rendon. "If he is here in the big leagues, he is going to play every day in the big leagues."Rizzo said Rendon looks the part at third base and at the plate, despite hitting just a 2-for-15 (.133) to start."I like the way he plays," Rizzo said. "He has got a calmness about him in the batter's box and in the field. I thought he has had some good at-bats against some quality pitching. I think he is going to be a guy that is going to help us in the near future a lot."

And last I heard Davey was "retiring" to the front office and Rizzo is going to build a 2014 lineup for a new manager. The way things are looking right now Rendon is likely going to be at third base.Unless Zim suddenly completely heals and has a monster year and wins the MVP, silver slugger, and gold-glove at third base. Well worth waving Rendon in his face if he does.

SonnyG10 said… Really helps when the plate ump calls a good game. Gio was really hitting the corners and the ump called them correctly. Makes a big difference.Good point. Conversely, Arroyo was just missing, and the ump was correctly calling them as balls, too.

Wonk: how can you let common sense into an argument? This has to stop. Really enjoyed just watching Gio tonight. I did think he pitched with a little more attitude and I loved that we scored multiple runs in multiple innings. I think we have lost just one game when we score first.Peric – of course you would pick Koberus because 1. you have disrespected Span ever since he signed here and2. you are the champion of our AAA boys. I do love your passion but I think you need to let Rizzo and Davey do the jobs they are being paid to do. Corey Brown, Kobernus, Karns, Rosenbaum are easy to root for because they can kill it at AAA but 3 of those 4 have never played an inning in the majors. Ask Rendon how tough that is? Don't stop rooting for the underdog but take a step back and look at what Span has done this year and actually in his career. Its a good signing, Harper has less pressure in LF and it shows in his offense.Good night all!

BTW, Desi was safe on that pickoff at first base, even though the ball beat him. Desi's body blocked the first base umpire's view and he blew the call. That was a neat hand move Desi put on Votto. Too bad the ump couldn't see it.

"Ha, ha, very funny. So professional and mature."Yeah, but at the same time, some levity has been sorely needed…"Sure Span did fine and he drove in some runs. But he and Werth are blocking Tyler Moore."Poor Tyler. These veterans keep blocking him by doing their job well…

My husband would like more data points but gave Julie a conditional acceptance. Haven't watched the postgame but from photos it looks like she took the Gatorade shower well.On the antics, either someone's complaining that the guys aren't focused and are horsing around too much or another one's complaining that they're acting too goofy. It's nice to have something to complain about, right? Win games and I don't care what you do afterwards, boys. 😉

natsfan1a said…My husband would like more data points but gave Julie a conditional acceptance. Haven't watched the postgame but from photos it looks like she took the Gatorade shower well.She did take it well and with a big smile. She then commented they told her to expect it. She also said "I can tell you, the Gator Ade is orange flavored.I give her a pass so far because she is good looking and anything to keep Carpenter from doing postgame interviews. I like Carp as our play-by-play guy, but not so much doing postgame interviews. Seems like Julie is not too bad with the questions, but like your husband, I need more data points.